travelberlin

Yes they are. If I understood properly they are US 99 for the whole cruise. The price is per person. Ivi

I like very much this size of ships. Every thing is so easy to reach. I do not need to use an elevator to go anywhere. With 427 passengers in a ship which has a capacity for about 650 we are fine. It does not feel empty or crowded. Bars are well visited. I have not seen children on board. I would say average age about 60? It does not feel like a nursing home as someone was afraid Azamara would be. It is an old ship and it has some disadvantages. For example the cabins are small and the toilets are so tiny! I guess some people would have difficulties with them. I am in a standard veranda cabin midship. A balcony is a must in times of Covid for me and I always choose midship in case they are rough seas. Even in the Mediterranean, which can be temperamental some times. The balcony allows for having room service with a nice setting. I like to have breakfast once in a while on the balcony. Internet is not good and I am not always able to post pictures. Funny is that Whatsapp and Facebook work better. It is when I try to post at Cruise Critic that things become slowly and at times impossible 🧐 Ivi

Thanks @takemewithyou. I have benefited several times from your posts. I have not upgraded to a better drinks package. I am perfectly Ok with the included ones. I had a Piña Colada, a Scotch and I guess thats all for non wine drinks because I am actually a wine drinker. I had a Chardonnay from Chile and a Pinotage from South Africa. I was satisfied with them. The sparkling wine is imo also fine. At least better than the one that Lufthansa served me on my business class flight to Athens when I ordered champagne. They thought I would not be able to distinguish between sparkling wine and champagne 😉 Ivi

Better for you👍 Ivi

They are selling the passes. The cost is US 20 per day. There are 427 guests on this cruise. Thanks for your comments. Ivi

Thanks everybody for following my cruise. Internet does not always work and I am having difficulties to post. Last night I went to the first show of this cruise. About 10 % of the cruisers were wearing masks. I am wearing it in all places inside. It is part of my strategy to avoid COVID. Hopefully it works. I have enjoyed the show last night. Six talented singers and dancers offered us a nice mixture of songs. Fortunately I could recognize some of the songs. I have problems when young performers sing songs which I do not know, but last night it was fine. Ok…I have to admit that they won me with the song from Neil Diamond: “Sweet Caroline “. I am a big Neil Diamond fan and once, many years ago I have camped three nights to get tickets for one of his concerts in USA😄. So I am a little bias reporting… I have met the Executive Chef Nathan. He comes from India. It is too early for me to say anything about the quality of the food but up to now I am fine. Ivi

The Captain is Mikael Palmroos and the Cruise Director is Ernest Marchain. Ivi

I would love to see your picture. This was my last picture last evening. But it is not the moon. Ivi

We needed a COVID test. This was the first thing they ask at the terminal. In my case, I have done an antigen test at a Pharmacy in Athens the day before the embarkation. The cost was Euro 7 and the results were there in 15 minutes. I think other passengers had their tests done at the terminal but I am not sure how much they paid. My recommendation is to have your antigen test done one day before in a pharmacy in Athens. Ivi

Yes. I always book my cruises through travel agents in the hope that if something goes wrong the travel agent will be able to help. Ivi

I have boarded in Athens today. You do need one antigen test within one day of boarding. Easy to get in pharmacies in Athens. Cost varies. Some have paid 5 Euro, others 8 Euro. I have paid 7 Euro. Ivi

We have left Piraeus. It is a wonderful evening. My friends ask me often why I like to cruise. The picture shows one of reasons…

I will try to find out Ivi

Of course I went to the library…

I have benefited a lot from the experiences of others while cruising. It is three years since I have started a live thread. I have decided to do it on this cruise because Azamara has not been communicating much in the last time and many people are just wondering. I have just purchased an internet package for the whole cruise in order to do this and if the internet connection allows, I will try to post. Please whoever is onboard and feel to post here you are most welcome. It will be great to see how my fellow cruisers are experiencing this cruise. My experience up to now is positive. I had a COVID test with negative result checked at the terminal. I was on board at 14.00. Once on board and after having my board picture taken, I was requested to show my vaccines certification and with a glass of sparkling wine on my hand I, and a small group of cruisers, got the instructions about safety in case of emergency. At 14.30 I was having a light lunch at Windows al fresco. It is like coming home on a way. My cabin is small but I like it. Ivi

Thanks Adrian! I will try to post. Up to now I have seen only masked faces 😷 smiling with the eyes Ivi

Presented my antigen negative test and ready to board. You do need a test result. Ivi

With the cruise documents you get your luggage tags and a paper where you have to confirm how you are going to settle your account onboard. You get also the address of the port. Ivi

It gives the impression that tests are no longer required if the ship departs from Greece. It says quite clearly in the statement you have posted. I will board tomorrow so I will know more then. Ivi

It seems to apply only for cruises departing from Greece. Ivi

Isn’t that sad? And if you give the drinks for free probably the bars will be quite busy. All inclusive packages in three stars ships show that people seem to think that to go on a cruise is to get the license to drink 😔 Ivi

Sundown yesterday in Athens. Ivi

Actually you are right about we have the option to choose with which line we want to cruise . We wish to cruise with the cruise line that Azamara was before COVID and before bars replacing libraries 😉 For people who wish more action there are plenty of other options, for example Celebrity if you wish to pay comparable prices and if you wish to have it cheaper, there are Royal Caribbean or MSC… Plenty of action there. Some even come with animators who will gladly motivate guests to go for some type of competition or who would offer you a hug 😎 Ivi

I guess one will habe to repeat the test. One positive test will not be enough to conclude that one has COVID. At the moment this is all one can do … Ivi

Did you pay for the antigen test at the terminal or it was complimentary from Azamara? Ivi